Muamba’s heart
attack a wake-up call

March 23 2012 at 10:37am

APChelsea's Gary Cahill celebrates his goal by revealing a tribute to his former Bolton Wanderers teammate Fabrice Muamba who is criically ill in hospital, during the English FA Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Leicester City and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Sunday, March 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

IT’S amazing that a tragedy has to be the catalyst that brings together people from all walks of life to unite and show support for the fallen.

The Munich air disaster is one perfect example and the Heysel stadium disaster is another.

Saturday evening witnessed yet another sad chapter in the history of English football when young blossoming talent Fabrice Muamba fell to the ground during a match at White Hart Lane in North London.

The venue was the home ground of Tottenham Hotspur and the Londoners were playing hosts to visiting Bolton Wanderers in the quarter finals of the prestigious FA Cup.

Touted as a future shining star for the England national team, Fabrice Muamba fell to the ground midway through the first half with the scores levelled at 1-1.

After intensive treatment on the pitch from paramedics who were present at the game, Muamba was rushed to a London hospital where he is fighting for his life after suffering a major heart attack.

At the time of going to press, Muamba was still in a critical state in the hospital where doctors confirmed that he had suffered a serious heart attack.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with this budding young star of the future. All of which just helps to simplify and put things into perspective – life is precious and more valuable than anything else in the world. Football and who wins what, all pales into insignificance in comparison to the loss of life.

Resurgent Chelsea

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has broken his silence on the recent sacking of former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas by saying that the former Chelsea manager was too focused on putting the future of Chelsea Football Club right instead of concentrating on the job at hand – winning trophies in the present day and age.

Chelsea are now under the guidance of their former midfielder Roberto di Matteo, who is in charge of the London club until the end of this season. Matteo's temporary appointment seems to be working as the club has now reached the semi finals of the FA Cup and they also overturned a recent deficit to claw their way back in the Uefa Champions' League encounter with Italian club Napoli.

Louis van Gaal has emerged as a leading contender to take over as Chelsea boss next season. Other contenders for the most volatile managerial seat in English football are Frank Rijkaard, Marco van Basten and Fabio Capello.

Tottenham Hotspur have been drawn to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi finals if they overcome Bolton Wanderers in the quarter finals. The other semi finals will be contested by Liverpool and either Everton or Sunderland.

Tevez dilemma

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has cleared the way for rebel striker Carlos Tevez to make his return to the first team at the club.

Tevez has been at loggerheads with the club amidst rumours of his desire to return to his homeland Argentina to be closer to his family.

Sergio Aguerro has also pleaded with his manager to allow the outcast superstar to return to footballing duty with the club and it now seems likely that Mancini will eventually relent and bring him back from footballing wilderness.

Transfer market

German giants Bayern Munich fear Chelsea and Manchester United will attempt to lure Arjen Robben back to the Premier League this summer.

The club is already making serious approaches for Blackburn Rovers star performer Junior Hoilett, who is also wanted by the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen has revealed that Arsenal tops the list of clubs he would consider joining when he leaves Ajax this summer. Speaking of Arsenal, the north London club's manager, Arsene Wenger, has added Birmingham's brilliant goalkeeper Jack Butland to his wanted list for the new season.

Wenger is planning a massive influx of top playing talents to come to the Emirates stadium amid fears that star players could be tempted to leave for greener pastures.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are hovering over the brilliant and inform Robin van Persie.

A bid in the region of 65 million pounds is the figure that is being discussed as a possible transfer fee for any club wanting to secure the services of this charismatic striker.

There are a few months left to go in the English Premiership season and the champions, Manchester United are now beginning to show their definitive class and superiority when it matters most.